Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Flea Market Find- Linen Press?

A few weeks back, while stolling through one of my favorite flea markets, I came upon this solid wood storage unit...

It was love at first sight.





Poor Kevin didn't stand a chance of talking me out of getting it. Fortunately, I only had to twist his arm for about 16 seconds before he, too, realized that it needed to come home with us.

The tag on it read, "Antique Linen Press- $79.99".
(which meant it would actually cost us $86.78 after tax)

So, of course, I asked if I could purchase it for a lower price than it was marked for, and the woman who owns the flea market obliged. (Bless her heart!) I'm happy to say, that it made it's way into the bed of our pickup truck for $71.99. (which was the price including tax)

Since then, I've done some searching online, and I don't think it's actually a "Linen Press" (gosh, do I love to call it that though!) and I don't think it's actually an "Antique" either. (The "Made in China" sticker on the bottom kinda gave it away) :-)

It sort of resembles a changing table, but I think it's too low to actually be one. It measures just 28" tall.

I adore the groupings of little worm holes sprinkled in various places...



...there are even some on the handles of the pull-out baskets...



Even more amazing, ALL of the baskets are in perfect condition (Pretty remarkable, considering the age of this piece. Ha ha) :-)

I sanded it down within minutes of unloading it onto the back patio...

And now it is covered in a smooth & satiny, creamy-white coat...



I made sure not to coat the piece too thickly. I put on several thin layers, so that the worm holes stayed free of paint. By the way, very old furniture sometimes has worm holes. To achieve the effect of worm holes, like they have on this piece, a nail is heated and then hammered into the wood. It creates tiny darkened holes that mimic the pattern made by worms. This is usually done around knot holes in wood to look more natural. Here's an example:


Classic Furniture PA


Here are some of mine...




Once the paint had thoroughly dried, I lightly distressed the entire piece, to give it some time-worn, cottage character...


It's now sitting underneath my Dining Room window, ready to be filled with linen napkins, extra silverware, placemats, napkin rings, tablescape props and floral foam.

I'm looking so forward to the challenge of accessorizing the top of it.
I know I want a lamp on it for sure.

Hey! Speaking of lamps, I saw this "borrowed & blue" beauty online the other day for $385...



Cottage Home Maine

It probably wouldn't be too difficult to re-create. You'd need a wicker-covered jug...

Photo: Vintage Weave

I see them at flea markets and on Ebay all the time. They're usually priced between $20-$30.

Then you could dry-brush it any color you like (or leave it natural), and purchase a simple lamp-making kit, available at most home improvement stores. Stick a shade on top, and a round of wood on the bottom, and voila! A whole lotta bang, for not a whole lotta bucks! Pottery Barn is selling these lovely specimens for $149.99-$199.99 right now...


I LOVE them. :-)

Well, that's all for now folks...I wish I could post the fireplace re-do, but Kevin seriously hurt his back the day before yesterday and is having trouble even walking. I really hope he gets to feeling better soon. I hate to see him suffering. :-(

He was halfway done with the fireplace before he hurt his back, and he's so anxious to finish. When he feels better, he'll "git-r-done". It's looking cottagey-delicious already!

Layla

81 comments:

The Soladay Family said...

What a great find at a steal! Love it!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Ohhh... so so pretty! I loved it in the wood tone and was pleasantly surprised to see how awesome it looked in white too. Did they have a black model for me? :)

I hope Kevin feels better soon!

Donna @
Funky Junk Interiors &
Our Extreme Home Reno Experience

SashaKay said...

Love Love Love the linen press!
So jealous.
Makes me want to go to a flea market in another Town.
Your house is so adorable!
You & your hubby make an awesome team!
-Sasha K.

Unknown said...

Sweetie this is gorgeous!!! Sitting next to your Gator Farms bucket is priceless. And your back-porch...Look at those trees. Do i see a bridge back there too? Love it :)

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Antique, schmantique! Who cares, when that is one seriously awesome find!! :) (I'm just a LITTLE bit jealous! hehe!!) You did good, girl! Hope your hubby is feeling better real soon!!
Blessings,
Stacey

Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~ said...

i DO love that piece! What a steal, too. Love what you did with it, too! Your creativity and eye are truly inspiring!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Woo hoo! Great find. I love that you made it your own too.

Katherine said...

What a great find! (Even if it isn't any of the things it tried to sell itself as.) And functional. I love it.

rustycupboard said...

I love the wicker stand. Such a great find.
helen

Erin Southwell said...

L,

The pace at which you guys get things accomplished around that cottage of yours constantly amazes me!

I still have the entry table I got and emailed you about with its original yellow paint and its always on my list of things to sand and paint and I just haven't done it yet! I need some of your decorating get-up-and-go! Got some to spare?

Love your find! Especially the handled baskets-so fun.

Happy Wednesday, friend!

Erin

Sarah said...

Do you mind sharing the color paint you used?! Also --- how do you make it look more worn --- just sand the edges a little or is there another trick. I'm loving your blog!

Sa-Sea said...

SUCH AN AMAZING FIND!!! I love it!!!!

Fenima said...

Layla, I just found your blog, and hope that you don't mind me as a follower. You are so inspirational when it comes to finding flea market treasures since I've been doing the samething lately. Thanks for recommending other great blogs; you're amazing.

Jeana said...

I think when the price it so good it doesn't matter if it's an antique. It turned out beautiful. I have been passing around Kevin's fantastic post on your kitchen and can't wait to see the fireplace.

Unknown said...

Can you disclose what type of white paint you use on furniture? I just repainted my great grandmother's dressing table for my daughter and used the wrong type of paint. HELP! Thank you, thank you!

Amy said...

Looks great! I like the idea of using it in the dining room, but the first thought that crossed my mind was - changing table.

Shannan Martin said...

That blue wicker jug/lamp is super swoony. It's amazing that someone out there must be willing to pay $395 for it, though! Great job on your new piece. It looks great!

Maureen said...

That is an awesome piece of furniture. You did a great job with it.

Erica said...

What a steal! I love it and think it looks beautiful painted. You're lucky your hubby doesn't need much convincing :)

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Fun find. And the outcome is great.

Abbie said...

Linen press? Ha! Changing table? More likely. But beautiful and useful just the same! And it still was a great price!

Christina said...

That is a fabulous piece. How beautiful it is white the white paint. What a great look you gave to it!

Lettered Cottage said...

Hey Abbie!

I think it's too low to be a changing table...it's only 28 inches tall. But I don't have kids, so maybe you're right! :-)

Layla

Victoria Hayden said...

Love it! Glad to know I am not the only person who sees something and want's to paint it! lol. It is so pretty! Sorry to hear your husband hurt his back, hope he is feeling better and on the mend. Thanks for always sharing such creative inspirations!!

Hugs,
~Victoria~

Anonymous said...

You did SUCH a gorgeous job on that piece of furniture!

May I ask: how do you distress your stuff, and also, do you have a favorite glossy, creamy-white paint?
Thanks!

Kristi said...

Lamps: Do you get the Ballard Catalog? I swore I saw lamp kits for these. Or maybe I'm mixing this up with PB? I also saw a tut somewhere on how to make your own jute covered vase. It wouldn't be woven, but you'd take rope and glue it around a glass vase. I'm confident you could do the WHOLE thing very afordably.

Linen Press: Love what you did with it. Question - how do you sand furniture? By hand, with an eletric sander, liquid sandpaper? Our kitchen table has been through the wringer with our kids. I love it but it needs replacing. Unless I can revive it by re-finishing it. I'd also like to take off the green accents and redo them with a black stain. I'm too nervous to even begin.

Amber said...

What a great find! The home you found for it storing your table linens and accessories is perfect! It was made for that job.

Anonymous said...

Poor Kevin!

He did a fabulous job on your kitchen cabinets.

I love your Chinese antique - my brother had the same thing happen with a dining room set.

I like it much better painted. I wish I had somewhere to put one at my house.

KM said...

So cute! Kevin, sweet Kevin. You are one lucky girl. My husband can't ever figure out why anything ever needs to be changed around our house! lol
xx
Kara

Anonymous said...

I'm the 'anonymous' who asked about the distressing and the paint, and I just want to add: you are one of the best designers I've seen in such a long time. What an eye you have! I love your taste.

Courtney Baker said...

Great find girl, you know it would be an amzing piece in a baby's room (I just helped my friend refinish a piece for her baby.. it's on the brain).

Courtney Baker said...

Ah... now I see that someone else already had that idea!

Lori E said...

Old or not it is great and useful too. I shake my head sometimes when I see what people are trying to sell as antiques. I am antique enough myself to know better most times.

Kristi said...

Just thought I'd let you know that if you were thinking about switching out your countertops but can't right now for whatever reason, I'm about to paint my baby blue laminate ones in a faux granite!! I found a great thread about how to do it over here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999197.tip.html

Some of the 'after' pictures are just amazing!!

Carry Grace said...

Great piece, and it looks great paint out white. You will get a lot of use out of that piece.

Kristi said...

Ok girl! I just looked up my Ballard catalog and they do have these lamp kits, of course they fit the "demijohns" they sell. Anyway the "demijohns" (look like jugs to me) they have are covered with either iron mesh, burlap, knotted jute or cane. This could be a place to use that burlap! Just an idea. Hope it's not too weird that I'm so excited about this.

Allidink said...

That storage unit is so awesome! I've never seen anything like that.

All the best,
Allison

Vanessa Greenway said...

It is wonderful! Love the white finish.

Anonymous said...

I love what you did with this piece. I think it is a changing table too! My changing table is only 31 inches high. ;)

{darlene} said...

what a great piece. I just love more storage. especially charming storage!

Just Rhonda said...

WOW it love love love that linen press!!!!

Rochelle said...

Awwww - this is the best! I wish there were good flea markets here -- or maybe there are and I just dont know where to look!

Beautiful piece though!

farmhouse wares said...

Lucky girl. I want one. You did a great job.

Hayley said...

Love that cabinet. The contrast between the paint and the baskets- oh so perfect! Poor Kevin, but poor you too! My husband just hurt his back moving our "antique-door-made-headboard" bed and I don't know what to do! Feeling helpless when your honey is hurt makes me hurt too. Love your blog. Get better Kevin!!

Evy said...

I LOVE your find! It's amazing what a spark of imagination and some inspiration can do!

Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great find! Looks beautiful! I hope Kevin is better soon! Tell him we are looking forward to another post! Cant wait to see the fireplace!

Anna O'Reilly said...

I love your "linen press" redo. It's gorgeous!

Carla said...

Love it. I got one of those "antique" pieces from my husband's grandma a few years back. Yep, the made in China stamp was on the back, along with the year it was manufactured. LOL

I think your find would work great as a changing table too. Just saying. :op

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

Antique or not, that storage piece is AWESOME. I'm totally drooling.

Anna @ The Shady Pine said...

What a find! I love the contrast of the wicker against the white paint job you've done...way to go!

Magic Brush said...

Is it wrong for me to be totally jealous? Especially after the post I put on my blog today about a piece of furniture sitting outside that someone won't sell me, but the elements are ruining it. I am happy for you... really I am. And still jealous!

PS Worm holes rock!! We use ice picks.

Old Beach Bungalow said...

Love your linen press! It's so fun to have a major find at the flea market! Can't wait to see how you accessorize it.

Chris said...

I'm so in love with that "linen press", I wanna marry it!! It's gorgeous! Great find.

Anonymous said...

What a deal. Old or new I love it all the same. I cant wait to see all the pretties you will find to put on top. I bet you laughed all the home with your new piece. I know I would have~

Anonymous said...

I would love to add your button to my blog but I dont see the code. Would you send it to me please. Thanks !

Unknown said...

I love your find, even if it's not old! Great makeover.

Anonymous said...

Great find-it's gorgeous! And I had no idea about wormholes-what a dummy I am.

Unknown said...

I love that piece. It looks perfect where you placed it.

Nun of a Kind! said...

I love your "antique" find. Really like what you did with it. I am really enjoying the look of painted furniture lately, and this piece looks very lovely....and practical!

Holly said...

Oh. My. Gosh. I have seriously been scouring the web the last two days for something exactly like this. I want to keep it at the bottom of the stairs and designate one drawer to each child for their stuff left downstairs. The idea being they carry it up and put it away. Lucky you!

Ness Lockyer said...

Perfect find for your home Layla. Can I ask you what you curtains are made from?
Ness xx

Coty said...

Wow, you are so good at what you do! That piece of furniture looks great!
I'm working on what you might call a "shoe string budget" as well, and I am always so excited when you show a money saving project that looks like it's straight from the pages of a mag!
You rock, girl!

Jena said...

I am so jealous. That is a beautiful "linen press" (call it what you want, it's yours). You did a great job with it.

Tiffany said...

Wow...truly great find! It looks gorgeous...wish I had one!

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

Love your new piece! I want one!!! xo

ennistbp said...

Can you please share the paint brand/color you selected? We are about to paint a bookcase, and I didn't want anything to yellow or stark white, so this looks perfect! Thank you.

Alison said...

what a gorgeous find! It's perfect for your sweet home!

I just moved to Fort Worth from Calera, Alabama and am sad that I discovered you after we moved! We could have fleamarketed together!

Abbie said...

Hey Layla, Now I measured my changing table (I have three kiddos so that means I've changed about a billion diapers...) and it's 31 inches high and I got my husband to raise it another three, and I'm not that tall! So 28 wouldn't be great, unless you've got someone around 4 feet tall to change the baby!

And it does look great - I've just never seen that edging on the sides and back of anything besides a changing table. But I probably think about diapers too much! :)

Love all your ideas and can't wait to see your finished kitchen.

Katie said...

Oh my dear goodness...I just want to jump through my computer and play with your new piece of furniture. I think I could sit and stare at that and play with it for hours. That is such an incredible find! And the price...wow...all I can say...

momof3girls said...

oh my goodness that buffett, side table is beautiful - you are so crafty and lucky to have found that with all the baskets in great shape!

Trixi said...

I love your "linen press". It is a great piece.

Erin said...

I really like that lamp. I have one of the bottles that goes inside the wicker cover that I turned into a lamp with a lamp kit, but I'd LOVE to find the bottle/cover combo!

Tracy said...

What an incredible find! Loved it at first, loved your updated version even more. Thanks for sharing and congrats! = )

Susie Q said...

Who knew that you could get antiques with Made in China stickers! Vendors really need to pay attention to that! :D

Hope Kevin's back is better soon. My hubby has back trouble too...poor guys..

Jen Kershner said...

Girl that piece is a keeper, unless you don't want to keep it all and want to sell it to me. It would be just perfect in my study redo!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Beautiful piece! Love the baskets...

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

I love the white with the baskets. They use a lot of that combination in the Scandanavian countries....have you checked out those blogs? Sooooo pretty. Great idea on the dropcloths. Nice, heavy fabric and inexpensive too!

Blessings,
Spencer

bookflutterby said...

I love love LOVE your linen press! Oh my word- it is so perfect! Where can I get one? It is so going at the top my 'to buy' list! Beautiful!

Sweet Caroline said...

Layla--Sometimes I think you are just an angel sent to our blog world. You have done my family room--and it is coming together so beautifully. I have done your drop cloth curtains in my dining room, and I can't stop smiling when I see them. You are such a blessing in my life. You really are. I think some people just feel happy they know the cool Layla...but, I am thrilled I at least found my way to you. So, this is just a little "Thank you..." and a deep appreciation for your hard work.

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Germany! Your blog is great! This is my first comment ever to any blog, but I wanted to let you, and your european readers, know that I found a very similar "linen press" sold by a french shop Maisons du Monde. You can find it in their internet page, it´s called Sherwood. Yours looks so good painted white!

Beth @ UnskinnyBoppy said...

May I ask where your favorite flea market is located? I'm a flea market junky!

This piece is gorgeous!